Terminal waterproof structure

Abstract

A terminal waterproof structure includes an electric wire and a terminal attached to a tip portion of the electric wire. The terminal includes: a terminal connection portion formed at a front end portion of the terminal; a wire connection part in which the core wire exposed from the insulating coating is arranged, the wire connection part being formed in a cylindrical shape on the rear end side of the terminal; and a terminal waterproof portion in which an insulating coating is disposed, the terminal waterproof portion being formed in a cylindrical shape at a rear end portion of the terminal. The wire connection portion includes a core wire clamping portion into which the core wire is inserted and clamped. The terminal waterproof portion includes a cover clamping portion which is inserted into and clamps the insulating cover.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a terminal waterproof structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hitherto, a charging system including a charging connector and a charging port (charging inlet) has been used to supply electric power (charge) from the outside of a vehicle to a battery mounted in a vehicle such as an electric automobile and a plug-in hybrid automobile (see JP 2017-220355A). In the charging inlet described in JP 2017-220355A, terminals such as power terminals and signal terminals are housed in a housing, electric wires connected to these terminals are pulled out rearward from the housing, and a retainer collectively prevents these terminals from coming loose. SUMMARY

[0003] For example, in a charging system of a vehicle such as an electric automobile and a plug-in hybrid automobile, waterproof performance is required to prevent rainwater or the like from penetrating into the inside of a terminal. However, a general terminal waterproof structure (waterproof crimp terminal) in the related art requires a process such as winding a connection point between a terminal and an electric wire with a tape or covering a connection point between a terminal and an electric wire with a heat shrink tube and applying heat thereto.

[0004] An object of the present application is to provide a terminal waterproof structure capable of improving waterproof performance without using a heat shrink tube or the like.

[0005] A terminal waterproof structure according to the present application includes an electric wire including a core wire and an insulating covering, and a terminal attached to a terminal end portion of the electric wire. The terminal includes a terminal connection portion formed at a front end portion of the terminal and electrically connected to a counterpart terminal, an electric wire connection portion in which the core wire exposed from the insulating covering is arranged, the electric wire connection portion being formed in a cylindrical shape at a rear end side of the terminal, and a terminal waterproof portion in which the insulating covering is arranged, the terminal waterproof portion being adjacent to the electric wire connection portion and formed in a cylindrical shape at a rear end portion of the terminal. The electric wire connection portion includes a core wire clamping portion that inserts and clamps the core wire. The terminal waterproof portion includes a covering clamping portion that inserts and clamps the insulating covering.

[0006] According to the above-described configuration, a terminal waterproof structure capable of improving waterproof performance without using a heat shrink tube or the like can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector to which a terminal waterproof structure according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a terminal waterproof structure according to the present embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a terminal waterproof structure according to the present embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a terminal before crimping of an electric wire.

[0011] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a terminal and an electric wire before crimping of the electric wire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] With reference to the drawings, a terminal waterproof structure according to the present embodiment is described in detail below. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for ease of explanation, and can differ from actual proportions.

[0013] The terminal waterproof structure (waterproof crimp terminal) according to the present embodiment is applicable to a charging receptacle provided in a charging port arranged in a vehicle, a charging jack, or the like, for charging a battery mounted in the vehicle.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1 , the connector 1 according to the present embodiment is a charging receptacle provided in a charging port arranged in a vehicle, for charging a battery mounted in the vehicle. The connector 1 is configured to be fitted with a charging connector (omitted in the illustration) provided with a counterpart terminal (omitted in the illustration).

[0015] The connector 1 includes a connector housing 2 in which a plurality of terminals 20 are provided, and an outer cover 3 that covers the periphery of the connector housing 2.

[0016] The connector housing 2 is configured to include a front housing 4 arranged in the outer cover 3 and formed of resin, and a terminal holder 5 attached to the rear of the front housing 4 and made of resin.

[0017] The front housing 4 is integrally formed with the outer cover 3. In the front housing 4, a plurality of terminal accommodation chambers 4a that accommodate the plurality of terminals 20 are formed. Meanwhile, the outer cover 3 is provided with a lock portion 3a that holds cooperation with the counterpart terminal (omitted in the illustration).

[0018] For example, the terminal holder 5 includes a holder main body portion 5a formed in a disc-like shape, and a holder cylinder portion 5b that protrudes from the holder main body portion 5a toward the front housing and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The holder cylinder portion 5b is integrally formed with the holder main body portion 5a.

[0019] The retainer main body portion 5a is provided with a plurality of terminal support portions 5c that are provided on the insertion side of a counterpart connector (omitted in the drawing) and support a plurality of terminals. For example, the terminal support portions 5c are formed in a cylindrical shape, and each terminal supported by the terminal support portions 5c is composed of a charging terminal, a signal terminal, a ground terminal, and the like. Further, the terminal support portions 5c are integrally formed with the retainer main body portion 5a.

[0020] The connector 1 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal waterproof structure 10.

[0021] As Figures 1 to 3 illustrated, the terminal waterproof structure 10 according to the present embodiment includes an electric wire 11 and a terminal 20.

[0022] The electric wire 11 includes a core wire 12 that is conductive and an insulating covering 13 that covers the core wire 12. For example, the core wire 12 is composed by bundling a plurality of metal filaments formed of a metal material having conductivity such as copper. The insulating covering 13 is removed at the end portion of the electric wire 11, and the core wire 12 is exposed. The exposed core wire 12 is crimped to the terminal 20.

[0023] The terminal 20 formed of a metal (for example, copper) is housed in the terminal housing chamber 4a. The terminal 20 is also referred to as a crimp terminal. The terminal 20 includes a terminal connection portion 21 that is formed at the front end portion of the terminal 20 and is electrically connected to a counterpart terminal (omitted in the drawing) and an electric wire connection portion 23 that is electrically connected to the electric wire 11. Further, the terminal 20 includes a terminal waterproof portion 24 that is formed at the rear end portion of the terminal 20. Further, the terminal 20 can include a holding portion (flange portion 22) that is provided between the terminal connection portion 21 and the electric wire connection portion 23 and is held in the front housing 4.

[0024] As Figures 2 to 5 illustrated, the electric wire connection portion 23 includes a first cylindrical portion 31 that is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first cylindrical portion 31 is provided with a core wire clamping portion 32 that is hexagonal in cross-sectional shape. The core wire clamping portion 32 is formed by deforming (clamping processing) a portion of the first cylindrical portion 31. As Figure 5 illustrated, the core wire clamping portion 32 is formed by, for example, vertical pressing in a state in which the core wire 12 of the electric wire 11 is inserted (crimped) into a hole portion of the first cylindrical portion 31. The method of forming the core wire clamping portion 32 is not limited to vertical pressing.

[0025] As Figures 2 to 5As shown, the terminal waterproof portion 24 includes a second cylindrical portion 41 formed in a cylindrical shape. The second cylindrical portion 41 is provided with a coating clamping portion 42, which is formed by deforming a portion of the second cylindrical portion 41 (performing a clamping process on a portion of the second cylindrical portion 41). The coating clamping portion 42 is formed with an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction of the terminal 20. A waterproof rib 43 extending in the circumferential direction of the terminal 20 is formed on the inner circumference of the coating clamping portion 42. The waterproof rib 43 serves as a protrusion for sealing the space between the outer circumference of the insulating sheath 13 of the wire 11 and the inner circumference of the second cylindrical portion 41. The coating clamping portion 42 and the waterproof rib 43 are provided on the entire circumference of the coating clamping portion 42 (second cylindrical portion 41). Furthermore, the waterproof rib 43 bites into (enters) the insulating sheath 13.

[0026] like Figure 5 As shown, with the insulating coating 13 of the wire 11 inserted into the hole of the second cylindrical portion 41, the coating clamping portion 42 is formed simultaneously with the core wire clamping portion 32 by, for example, vertical pressing. The method of forming the coating clamping portion 42 is not limited to vertical pressing. The clamping process of the coating clamping portion 42 may not be performed simultaneously with the clamping process of the core wire clamping portion 32.

[0027] As described above, a terminal waterproof structure 10 according to one aspect of this embodiment includes a wire 11 and a terminal 20. The wire 11 includes a core wire 12 and an insulating sheath 13, and the terminal 20 is attached to the end portion of the wire 11. The terminal 20 includes: a terminal connection portion 21 formed at the front end of the terminal 20 and electrically connected to a mating terminal; and a wire connection portion 23 in which the core wire 12 is disposed exposed from the insulating sheath 13, the wire connection portion 23 being formed in a cylindrical shape at the rear end of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 includes a terminal waterproof portion 24 in which the insulating sheath 13 is disposed. The terminal waterproof portion 24 is adjacent to the wire connection portion 23 and is formed in a cylindrical shape at the rear end of the terminal 20. The wire connection portion 23 includes a core wire clamping portion 32 in which the core wire 12 is inserted and clamped. The terminal waterproof portion 24 includes a sheath clamping portion 42 in which the insulating sheath 13 is inserted and clamped.

[0028] In this embodiment, the wire connection portion 23 of the terminal 20 is provided with a core wire clamping portion 32, in which the core wire 12 is inserted and clamped. The waterproof portion 24 of the terminal is provided with a covering clamping portion 42, in which the insulating covering 13 is inserted and clamped. In this case, a waterproof terminal structure 10 is obtained. Furthermore, the covering clamping portion 42 is formed simultaneously with the core wire clamping portion 32 through a clamping process. In this case, a waterproof terminal structure 10 according to this embodiment can be obtained.

[0029] According to the above-described embodiment, a terminal waterproof structure 10 capable of improving waterproof performance without using a heat shrink tube or the like can be provided.

[0030] In the terminal waterproof structure 10, a protruding portion (waterproof rib 43) can be formed on the inner periphery of the covering clamping portion 42. The protruding portion can extend along the circumferential direction and can have a ring shape.

[0031] The covering clamping portion 42 is thus configured. In this case, the space between the outer periphery of the insulating covering 13 of the electric wire 11 and the inner periphery of the terminal waterproof portion 24 (second cylindrical portion 41) can be sealed in a watertight manner. Thus, the waterproof performance of the terminal waterproof structure 10 can be further improved.

[0032] In the terminal waterproof structure 10, the protruding portion (waterproof rib 43) can be engaged with the insulating covering 13.

[0033] The waterproof rib 43 on the inner periphery of the covering clamping portion 42 is thus formed. In this case, the space between the outer periphery of the insulating covering 13 of the electric wire 11 and the inner periphery of the terminal waterproof portion 24 (second cylindrical portion 41) can be sealed in a watertight manner. Thus, the waterproof performance of the terminal waterproof structure 10 can be further improved.

[0034] While specific embodiments have been described in detail, these particular embodiments are shown and described by way of illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein can be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A waterproof terminal structure, comprising: An electrical wire, comprising a core wire and an insulating sheath; as well as A terminal, which is attached to the end of the wire, wherein, The terminals include: A terminal connection portion is formed at the front end of the terminal and is electrically connected to a mating terminal. A wire connection portion, in which the core wire is arranged exposed from the insulation coating, the wire connection portion being formed into a cylindrical shape at the rear end of the terminal; and The terminal has a waterproof portion, in which the insulating coating is arranged. The waterproof portion is adjacent to the wire connection portion and is formed into a cylindrical shape at the rear end of the terminal. The wire connection includes a core wire clamping part that inserts into and clamps the core wire, and The terminal waterproof part includes a cover clamping part that inserts into and clamps the insulating cover.

2. The terminal waterproof structure according to claim 1, wherein, A protrusion is formed on the inner periphery of the covered clamping portion, the protrusion extending circumferentially and having an annular shape.

3. The terminal waterproof structure according to claim 2, wherein, The protrusion engages with the insulating coating.

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